It condemns alcohol, tobacco and "hot drinks," which church leaders have subsequently described only as "coffee and tea." This rumor also likely stems from the fact that Mormons do not drink hot drinks like coffee and tea. “, Father’s Day: How Mormon Fathers Are Different. If caffeine were against the Word of Wisdom, he says, it would open the door to lots of questions and judgment calls. Some think it’s because of caffeine levels. Church spokesman Scott Trotter said the clarification was made to provide context to last week's NBC News hour-long special on Mormonism that stated Mormons don't drink caffeine. But convenience stores and fast-food eateries should brace for an onslaught of conferencegoers craving Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Mountain Dew or other caffeinated beverages. Many "Mormons" take that to mean caffeinated beverages, so they will not partake of coffee or soda that contains caffeine. Mormons aren't supposed to drink caffeinated beverages. (Which the Mormon Church has never formally come out against, as I understand it). Yet they can not drink ice tea but are allowed to drink hot chocolate. The LDS Church-owned school doesn't sell caffeinated drinks on campus. That’s a good theory and may have something to do with it, though it’s led to the misconception that Latter-day Saints can’t drink soda that has caffeine in it, which isn’t the case. 2. the mormons that were very strict and drank nothing with caffeine in it. It has long been assumed that because tea and coffee contain caffeine (which is addictive), that was the reason for avoidance. Mormons can drink caffeine? You just are not able to go to the Temple. Latter-day Saints are taught not to drink any kind of alcohol (see D&C 89:5–7). It's mostly because of the tanic acid in the coffee and tea that's destructive, not so much the caffeine. Not sure why, but I have seen the blessings of it. Caffeine is an ergogenic: increasing the capacity for mental or physical labor. My Mormon friend drinks Dr. Pepper, but says he never drinks coffee. Coffee and tea are specifically prohibited, as written in the Word of Wisdom: "Hot drinks are not for the body or belly" (D&C 89:9). You can be a "Mormon" and drink Caffeinated beverages. How about medicines such as Excedrin, which contain caffeine? The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. So much so, that failing to keep it disqualifies a Mormon from being able to enter the temple. Mormonism For Dummies by Jana Riess ( … What can Latter-day Saints eat and drink? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also called the Mormon or LDS Church, is a Christian sect established in the 19th-century United States. A study conducted in 1979 showed a 7% increase in distance cycled over a period of two hours in subjects who consumed caffeine compared to control tests. The LDS Church's health code, known simply as the "Word of Wisdom," was dictated in 1833 by Mormon founder Joseph Smith. Pastor Cares took special care to use language and illustrations that Mormons can understand. Debunking a dubious General Conference rumor It's the General Conference Rumor Edition! Brigham Young University amends its policy after the church revised its stance on caffeine in 2012. Mormons will soon drink coffee! They say nothing about reasons for singling out those two drinks. For the official Church websites, please visit churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org. The views expressed by individual users are the responsibility of those users and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. Church spokesman Scott Trotter said the clarification was made to provide context to last week's NBC News hour-long special on Mormonism that stated Mormons don't drink caffeine. However, it seems that many Mormons follow what the health code advises without questioning why. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon church, recently updated its guidelines on iced coffee and tea, as well as e-cigarettes. They just don't bar members from, say, pounding a Pepsi or slurping a hot chocolate. It forbids consumption of wine, strong drink, tobacco and "hot drinks," which have been defined by church authorities as tea and coffee. I'm LDS, and I have a few LDS friends who "draw attention to themselves" (are goth, have mohawks) There are no real requirements about that, they just want you to remember that you are a representation of the church, and they don't want people to say "He's a Mormon, Wow Mormons are … A: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not take a direct position on caffeinated beverages. MYTH – Mormons can’t drink anything with caffeine. The Mormon Church released an official statement in 1972 about the subject: With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. others just don't drink it because caffeine is a stimulant and wearing on the circulatory system. That doesn't mean church leaders view drinks that contain it as healthy. Starbucks won't need extra staff, either. In 1860, he counseled those chewing tobacco in church meetings to at least be discreet and not excessive, but did not charge users with sin. Well that is what they believe NOW. Mormons have never been formally told they are not allowed to drink caffeine. The current debate over coffee, tea, caffeine, and other “hot drinks” boils down to a difference in interpretation about whether this particular portion of the Doctrines and Covenants is an outright prohibition or merely counsel. Do Latter-day Saints drink alcohol, tea, and coffee? Go figure. Mormons don't drink green or black tea (caffeinated teas). + 6. vote up Answer by tbird (732) The Word of Wisdom specifically bans the intake of tea and coffee, but it doesn't list caffeine as the reason. So any churchgoing Mormons wondering whether it's OK — in their faith's eyes — to join Jorgensen for a caffeine fix can heed this simple advice: "The only official interpretation of 'hot drinks' (D&C 89:9) in the Word of Wisdom is the statement made by early church leaders that the term 'hot drinks' means tea and coffee.". MYTH – Mormons can’t use technology. mormons can drink caffeine..... what they can't drink is coffee and tea - and while the reason for that is not given - many ASSUME it is because of caffeine and so make the choice to abstain from any caffeinated drinks. Latter Day Saints "can" drink caffeine, but many choose not to. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided. From 1899 to 2006 the word “caffeine” is mentioned only eight times in the Semi-annual General Conference reports of the church. Neither is accurate. Drugs would include all illegal substances, as well as caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. Which is potentially true. The Mormon Church is totally fine with people consuming as much caffeine as they can handle—just as long as it’s slightly chilled. OK, the actual passage was about "hot" beverages. No leader of our church has ever come out and told us not to drink caffeine, although some have declared their distaste for caffeine. Mormons have been instructed through a revelation known as “the Word of Wisdom” to not drink coffee or tea. Though Young encouraged Mormons to follow the Word of Wisdom code, the church was tolerant of those who did not follow it. Some Mormons assume that anything with caffeine should be prohibited, especially soft drinks and chocolate. Though it does not state so, some take this to also mean not to drink caffeine in general. "The church policy is clear on coffee and tea, and I don't want to make the mistake of inappropriately extending or applying this.". Do I detect a “double standard” when it comes to soft drinks? Can Mormons Drink Soda?Why can mormons drink Coke? But, confusingly, the Mormon prohibition on coffee and tea is not a prohibition on caffeine. The church has never come out and said that caffeine is behind the prohibition of hot drinks mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. The answer is no, the Church does not forbid caffeine usage per se. It is fair to say, therefore, that the caffeine content of a glass of coca-cola is just about equal to that contained in a cup of tea or coffee.” In October 1939, the Improvement Era ran another article titled “Caffeine in Cola Drinks.” Mormon Apostle John Widtsoe warned that “cola drinks contain the drug, caffeine. "Part of the issue is that nonofficial remarks by certain church leaders get selectively spread around," Jorgensen writes in an email. When it comes down to it, the point of the Word of Wisdom is to take care of our bodies. They have specifically stated that Coke, Pepsi, and any other form of caffeine is completely fine as long as it’s not heated. Dew,' " he said, proudly displaying the sizable collection of Mountain Dew memorabilia he has in his office. In the Word of Wisdom, the Lord commands Latter-day Saints to abstain from harmful substances. The LDS Church-owned school doesn't sell caffeinated drinks on campus. Subsequently LDS prophets said that hot drinks referred to coffee and tea. He also wrote this book to speak clearly and powerfully to Christians by covering familiar topics in a … Question. We believe that God blesses us with health and other spiritual blessings for following this commandment. The canonized Mormon health code is called the "Word of Wisdom," and was given to the religious movement in 1833 by its founder, Joseph Smith. mormons are not allowed to drink coffee or tea. Gordon B. Hinckley: No to caffeine, coffee and tea. Breaking it is considered a major sin in Mormonism. But it also mentions "hot … We can drink herbal tea, but regular/iced tea is out and so is all coffee. depends on what type of mormon you ant to be, just liek I run into christians who will not listen to any rock'n'roll just christian and some that will. Subsequently LDS prophets said that hot drinks referred to coffee and tea. Mormons have been instructed through a revelation known as “the Word of Wisdom” to not drink coffee or tea. Some believe it's the reason so they abstain from caffeine. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it is formally known, determined that a reference to "hot drinks" in religious texts only applied to tea and coffee, not all caffeine products. During an interview with Larry King in 2004, President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Mormon Church discussed the Word of Wisdom: Gordon B. Hinckley: The word of wisdom covers many things. Mormons don't drink green or black tea (caffeinated teas). Mormons believe that bodies are a gift from God and should be respected and taken care of, both inside and out. No, this isn’t true. Since moving to Cedar City to take a job teaching chemistry at Southern Utah University, the LDS professor has "carved out a place for [himself] as 'Dr. “Why Do Mormons Have So Many Family Traditions? Mormons, as most folks around here know, don't drink alcohol, tea or coffee. For the official Church websites, please visit LDS.org or Mormon.org. The Mormon Church is totally fine with people consuming as much caffeine as they can handle—just as long as it’s slightly chilled. Why Don’t Mormons Drink Coffee? Although the Church does not specifically prohibit it, they do not endorse it either. The primary purpose of God—The Ultimate Humanitarian is to speak to people leaving Mormonism. Were they ever against the Word of Wisdom (WoW)? 4. Mormons And Banned Consumption To understand whether or not Mormons can drink kombucha, we must first find out what they can and can’t consume. Some just choose not too. Must have something to do with caffeine. I don’t happen to like Coke, but I don’t think I’m going to hell if I drink it. Following this interview, many Mormons immediately quit drinking caffeinated sodas. Gordon B. Hinckley: By saying, by proscribing those things. While it certainly CAN be, so can water - you can die from water intoxication. Are they against the Word of Wisdom? In fact I have dozens of mormon friends and only 1 out of about 17 or 18 choose not to drink coffee or beer. "We have been given rational minds for a reason," he writes, then paraphrasing church founder Joseph Smith. MYTH – Mormon women can’t speak in church or hold leadership positions. Mormonism Answers: What Is the Plan of Happiness? Nor has is said caffeinated soft drinks are prohibited. Quoted from the official Church newsroom: “the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the … Caffeine is widely acknowledged to be a stimulant and an addictive substance. This article goes into detail to explain the historical significance, context, and modern interpretation of the prohibition/exhortation against coffee and tea for Mormons. Since coffee and tea both have caffeine, some members took to avoiding all drinks with caffeine. Well it is now 100 percent official - Mormon's are allowed to drink coke and more specifically caffeine, just not tea or coffee. Again, some Mormons try to make sure they don't accidentally get tea in any other form, which can be more difficult than you might think now that green tea has become a "health food" and is sometimes … To avoid this, some Mormons choose not to drink caffeinated sodas at all, others just try to drink them sparingly. It could also be that there is some substance in tea that can be harmful in large amounts. Again, some Mormons try to make sure they don't accidentally get tea in any other form, which can be more difficult than you might think now that green tea has become a "health food" and is sometimes added into other health items (including cold cereal). Plain ignorance on this church policy by all parties seems to rule.". Clearly, the Utah-based faith is leaving such explanations and decisions up to individuals. So many Mormons then will say well, we should not drink any caffeinated beverages. "Another part of the issue is the general tendency (although there are exceptions) of devout people to be too literal and absolute, while not being rational enough. Or Pepsi? 9 Missionaries Can Only Play Half-Court Basketball. if your mormon no.1 then yes. Well, I’m typing this from a laptop, so… I think some extremely uninformed people think we’re Amish. I agree with your “rule of thumb” that you don’t need to check the caffeine content not to drink coffee. "We don't need to be compelled in all things.". Followers of the religion adhere to strict fundamental rules that prohibit any drug use. Although the Church does not specifically prohibit it, they do not endorse it either. They have specifically stated that Coke, Pepsi, and any other form of caffeine is completely fine as long as it’s not heated. This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. Top rumor: next weekend, the prophet will lift the ban on Mormons … Many Mormons aren’t sure why the church forbids hot beverages because they are allowed to drink caffeinated soft drinks. Does not make sense but that is what they believe. Bar owners in downtown Salt Lake City need not gear up to serve the hordes of Mormons who will throng Temple Square during next weekend's LDS General Conference. It covers, in a very particular way, the use of tobacco and alcohol. 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